Parliament rocked by computer porn report

The NSW Parliament has been rocked by news that its computers may have been used to access child pornography.

NSW independent MP and Speaker Richard Torbay is seeking legal advice after a report into internet usage on parliament computers revealed nine websites were viewed which may have contained child pornography.

He told Parliament on Thursday the websites contained “sexually explicit images of young people, whose precise age is reportedly difficult to determine". He said no further comment would be made “so as to not jeopardise any investigations that may ensue".

Mr Torbay commissioned Ernst & Young earlier this year to compile a report on Parliament’s internet filtering system. The report, which has been tabled in parliament, revealed 35 adult-related websites had been visited in the 10 months to September 6 this year.

Ports minister Paul McLeay resigned his post in September after admitting to browsing gambling and adult websites. But there is no suggestion in the report that he accessed child pornography sites.

Mr Torbay released the report on Parliament’s last sitting day of the year. The state election will be held on March 26.